New York Knicks Bringing Back Jared Jeffries

Memories of Jared Jeffries’ epic gaffe in last season’s Playoffs won’t go away for Knicks fans, as the team is expected to re-sign the forward. Per Newsday: “Jared Jeffries constantly is reminded of the pain that lasted the entire offseason. It was, to some Knicks fans, his Charles Smith moment: The failure of the 6-11 forward to power up for what seemed to be a textbook drop-step finish in the closing seconds of a 96-93 loss to the Celtics in Game 2 of the playoffs. ‘I’ve watched that play a ton of times,’ Jeffries said. ‘I feel like I don’t want that to define what I am as a Knick or what I did in my Knick career. I know I let a lot of people down, but no one more so than myself.’ With that motivation, Jeffries wanted to come back to try again. Despite better offers elsewhere, he plans to accept a one-year contract from the Knicks for the veteran’s minimum once the official free-agency signing period begins this weekend. ‘Honestly, I want to win in New York,’ Jeffries said. ‘I feel last year we were very close.’ Mike D’Antoni has developed a strong affinity for Jeffries’ versatility, especially on defense.”